Wave energy conversion systems (WECS) with internal power take-off mechanisms using internal inertias as well as WECS using a submerged water head for driving a turbine at a steady rate. The WECS involving internal inertias is effected through relative oscillation between masses inside the hull of watercraft excited by wave motion and whereby the masses' oscillations are captured by actuators (e.g., hydraulic) that pressurize a fluid or generate electricity. Different relative oscillation mechanisms are disclosed herein. The WECS involving a submerged water head involve the use of asymmetric floats, arranged in a circular orientation for omni-directional wave energy capturing, that drive respective pistons that pressurize the water head and drive the turbine. Alternatively, the use of articulating raft/barges or floats coupled via a lever arm can be used instead of the asymmetric floats for pressurizing the water head.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F03B 17/02 - Other machines or engines using hydrostatic thrust
2.
Damping plate sand filtration system and wave energy water desalination system and methods of using potable water produced by wave energy desalination
A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having an onboard desalination system including reverse osmosis membranes. The filtration system is a sand filter residing on a damping plate submerged in the salt water body and filters the adjacent salt water for providing filtered salt water to the onboard desalination system. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump and pressurize the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis membranes to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects shaking of the reverse osmosis membranes, thereby rendering them self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.
B01D 65/08 - Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
An articulating wave energy conversion system (AWECS) formed of a forward barge hingedly-coupled to a two-part aft barge configuration for reducing the attenuation of available wave energy along the length of the AWECS. The two-part aft barge includes a buoyant section that is either rigidly-connected, or unitized with, a lever-arm barge. The lever-arm barge includes a draft that is much smaller than the drafts of the forward barge and buoyant section. In addition, the lever-arm barge includes a large waterplane area that results in large hydrostatic forces as the waves pass. One or more intermediate barges may be hingedly-coupled between the forward barge and the aft barge. Pumps can be positioned across every hinge to convert the barge articulations into mechanical energy for driving the pumps based on wave motion for a variety of functions, such as water desalination, electrical energy generation, etc.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having an onboard desalination system including reverse osmosis membranes. The filtration system is a sand filter residing on a damping plate submerged in the salt water body and filters the adjacent salt water for providing filtered salt water to the onboard desalination system. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump and pressurize the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis membranes to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects shaking of the reverse osmosis membranes, thereby rendering them self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.
C02F 1/00 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
B01D 24/04 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
An articulating wave energy conversion system (AWECS) formed of a forward barge hingedly-coupled to a two-part aft barge configuration for reducing the attenuation of available wave energy along the length of the AWECS. The two-part aft barge includes a buoyant section that is either rigidly-connected, or unitized with, a lever-arm barge. The lever-arm barge includes a draft that is much smaller than the drafts of the forward barge and buoyant section. In addition, the lever-arm barge includes a large waterplane area that results in large hydrostatic forces as the waves pass. One or more intermediate barges may be hingedly-coupled between the forward barge and the aft barge. Pumps can be positioned across every hinge to convert the barge articulations into mechanical energy for driving the pumps based on wave motion for a variety of functions, such as water desalination, electrical energy generation, etc.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F03G 7/08 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching, or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
6.
Remotely reconfigurable high pressure fluid passive control system for controlling bi-directional piston pumps as active sources of high pressure fluid, as inactive rigid structural members or as isolated free motion devices
A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection. The bi-directional pump system intakes sea water and, using wave energy, outputs a high pressure flow of sea water for water desalination and/or for driving electrical generators.
F04B 49/00 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
F04B 11/00 - Equalisation of pulses, e.g. by use of air vesselsCounteracting cavitation
F15B 7/02 - Systems with continuously-operating input and output apparatus
F04B 53/14 - Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
F04B 49/22 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups by means of valves
F04B 23/06 - Combinations of two or more pumps the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
F04B 9/117 - Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers the pumping members not being mechanically connected to each other
F04B 5/02 - Machines or pumps with differential-surface pistons with double-acting pistons
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
A hinge system and method for an Articulated Wave Energy Conversion System (AWECS) that provides for hinge and piston pump displacements due to multi-axis forces in allowing adjacent barges of the AWECS to pivot with respect to one another due to wave motion. The hinge system uses a plurality of parallel hinges, and axle segments, coupled between adjacent barges wherein the hinges are coupled to upright trusses positioned transversely along facing edges of each barge. Hinge bracing includes lower V-shaped struts that act as lower stops when the barges pitch up and also include upper struts that act as upper stops when the barges pitch down. The pumps are positioned in parallel. The pumps have special couplings such as ball joint couplings that permit motions other than longitudinal pump/ram motions due to multi-axis forces generated by the wave motion and thus provide omni-directional stress relief to the pumps.
F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
F03B 13/16 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member
F16C 11/06 - Ball-jointsOther joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having an onboard desalination system including reverse osmosis membranes. The filtration system is a sand filter residing on a damping plate submerged in the salt water body and filters the adjacent salt water for providing filtered salt water to the onboard desalination system. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump and pressurize the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis membranes to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects shaking of the reverse osmosis membranes, thereby rendering them self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.
B01D 65/08 - Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
Remotely reconfigurable high pressure fluid passive control system for controlling bi-directional piston pumps as active sources of high pressure fluid, as inactive rigid structural members or as isolated free motion devices
A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection. The bi-directional pump system intakes sea water and, using wave energy, outputs a high pressure flow of sea water for water desalination and/or for driving electrical generators.
F04B 49/00 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F04B 5/02 - Machines or pumps with differential-surface pistons with double-acting pistons
F04B 9/117 - Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers the pumping members not being mechanically connected to each other
F04B 23/06 - Combinations of two or more pumps the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
F04B 49/22 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups by means of valves
A hinge system and method for an Articulated Wave Energy Conversion System (AWECS) that provides for hinge and piston pump displacements due to multi-axis forces in allowing adjacent barges of the AWECS to pivot with respect to one another due to wave motion. The hinge system uses a plurality of parallel hinges, and axle segments, coupled between adjacent barges wherein the hinges are coupled to upright trusses positioned transversely along facing edges of each barge. Hinge bracing includes lower V-shaped struts that act as lower stops when the barges pitch up and also include upper struts that act as upper stops when the barges pitch down. The pumps are positioned in parallel. The pumps have special couplings such as ball joint couplings that permit motions other than longitudinal pump/ram motions due to multi-axis forces generated by the wave motion and thus provide omni-directional stress relief to the pumps.
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F16C 11/06 - Ball-jointsOther joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
11.
HINGE SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICULATED WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM
A hinge system and method for an Articulated Wave Energy Conversion System (AWECS) that provides for hinge and piston pump displacements due to multi-axis forces in allowing adjacent barges of the AWECS to pivot with respect to one another due to wave motion. The hinge system uses a plurality of parallel hinges, and axle segments, coupled between adjacent barges wherein the hinges are coupled to upright trusses positioned transversely along facing edges of each barge. Hinge bracing includes lower V-shaped struts that act as lower stops when the barges pitch up and also include upper struts that act as upper stops when the barges pitch down. The pumps are positioned in parallel. The pumps have special couplings such as ball joint couplings that permit motions other than longitudinal pump/ram motions due to multi-axis forces generated by the wave motion and thus provide omni-directional stress relief to the pumps.
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
F03B 13/16 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member
12.
Modular sand filtration-anchor system and wave energy water desalination system and methods of using potable water produced by wave energy desalination
A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the salt water body and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water for providing the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.
C02F 1/00 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
B01D 24/04 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
B01D 24/14 - Downward filtration, the container having distribution or collection headers or pervious conduits
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
E03B 1/02 - Methods or layout of installations for water supply for public or like main supply
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
Remotely reconfigurable high pressure fluid passive control system for controlling bi-directional piston pumps as active sources of high pressure fluid, as inactive rigid structural members or as isolated free motion devices
A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection. The bi-directional pump system intakes sea water and, using wave energy, outputs a high pressure flow of sea water for water desalination and/or for driving electrical generators.
F04B 49/03 - Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control by means of valves
F04B 49/22 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups by means of valves
F04B 5/02 - Machines or pumps with differential-surface pistons with double-acting pistons
F04B 49/00 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F15B 7/02 - Systems with continuously-operating input and output apparatus
C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
F04B 9/117 - Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid having plural pumping chambers the pumping members not being mechanically connected to each other
F04B 19/22 - Other positive-displacement pumps of reciprocating-piston type
F04B 23/06 - Combinations of two or more pumps the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
F04B 53/14 - Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
F04B 53/16 - CasingsCylindersCylinder liners or headsFluid connections
14.
Remotely reconfigurable high pressure fluid passive control system for controlling bi-directional piston pumps as active sources of high pressure fluid, as inactive rigid structural members or as isolated free motion devices
A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection. The bi-directional pump system intakes sea water and, using wave energy, outputs a high pressure flow of sea water for water desalination and/or for driving electrical generators.
F04B 49/03 - Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control by means of valves
F04B 5/02 - Machines or pumps with differential-surface pistons with double-acting pistons
F04B 49/00 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
F04B 49/22 - Control of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups by means of valves
15.
REMOTELY RECONFIGURABLE HIGH PRESSURE FLUID PASSIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING BI-DIRECTIONAL PISTON PUMPS AS ACTIVE SOURCES OF HIGH PRESSURE FLUID, AS INACTIVE RIGID STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OR AS ISOLATED FREE MOTION DEVICES
A bi-directional pump system, configurable for a plurality of operating modes, is shown. The pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps, each having their own valving systems connected to common high pressure, low pressure and suction manifolds. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into four modes: single-acting; double-acting; inactive free motion; and inactive rigid. An articulated wave energy conversion apparatus uses the pump system and consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first pump set spans the first hinge and the second pump set spans the second hinge. The pump system intakes sea water and, using wave energy, outputs a high pressure sea water flow for water desalination and/or for driving electrical generators.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
F04B 5/02 - Machines or pumps with differential-surface pistons with double-acting pistons
F15B 7/02 - Systems with continuously-operating input and output apparatus
16.
MODULAR SAND FILTRATION-ANCHOR SYSTEM AND WAVE ENERGY WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING POTABLE WATER PRODUCED BY WAVE ENERGY DESALINATION
A potable water producing system for disposition at a salt water body and methods of producing potable water are provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS forms a floating articulated barge having a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the salt water body and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water for providing the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. Wave action on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. The wave action on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning. The potable water can be used for various applications, e.g., bottling, replenishing aquifers, ground and/or aquifer remediation, irrigation, etc.
B01D 35/00 - Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups , or for applications not specifically covered by groups Auxiliary devices for filtrationFilter housing constructions
17.
ARTICULATED BED-MOUNTED FINNED-SPAR-BUOY DESIGNED FOR CURRENT ENERGY ABSORPTION & DISSIPATION
A constrained buoy experiencing vortex-induced, in-line and transverse angular motions and designed to absorb and attenuate the energies of streams, rivers and localized ocean currents is described. The Finned-Spar-Buoy (FSB) design can be considered an exoskeleton, in that vertical fins are externally mounted on a vertical cylindrical float. The fins increase the drag coefficient by enhancing the wake losses. The FSB operates as a single unit or as a component of an array, depending on the application. The FSB can adjust to high-water events caused by tides, storm surges or spring-melting runoffs because the FSB can move axially along a center-staff which is attached to an anchor pole at a pivot point. The buoy-staff system is allowed to rotate in any angular direction from the vertical, still-water orientation of the center-staff. The FSB has a relatively small diameter-to-draft ratio, analytically qualifying the buoy as a slender-body.
A potable water producing system for disposition at a body of salt water and a method of producing potable water is provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS is in the form of a floating articulated barge housing a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the body of salt water and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water and to provide the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. The action of the waves on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. Moreover, the action of the waves on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning.
B01D 24/04 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
A constrained buoy experiencing vortex-induced, in-line and transverse angular motions and designed to absorb and attenuate the energies of streams, rivers and localized ocean currents is described. Referred to as a Finned-Spar-Buoy (FSB), the buoy design can be considered an exoskeleton, in that vertical fins are externally mounted on a vertical cylindrical float. The fins increase the drag coefficient by enhancing the wake losses. The FSB operates as a single unit or as a component of an array, depending on the application. The FSB can adjust to high-water events caused by tides, storm surges or spring-melting runoffs because the FSB can move axially along a center-staff which is attached to an anchor pole at a pivot point. The buoy-staff system is allowed to rotate in any angular direction from the vertical, still-water orientation of the center-staff. The FSB has a relatively small diameter-to-draft ratio, analytically qualifying the buoy as a slender-body.
An apparatus and method for generating electricity from ocean wave energy by using a floating device having a first portion that is movably coupled to a second portion. A hydraulic pump is coupled between these portions such that when the floating device is exposed to ocean wave energy, the hydraulic fluid within the pump is displaced. A flow rectifier is used to create a unidirectional hydraulic fluid flow that is dispensed through a rotary-vane pump which, in turn, is coupled to an electrical generator. Thus, as the rotary-vane pump is activated by the unidirectional hydraulic fluid flow, the rotary-vane pump turns the electrical generator for generating electricity. A plurality of hydraulic pumps and associated flow rectifiers, rotary-vane pumps and electrical generators can be coupled between the first and second portions. In addition, the floating device can include a third portion that is also movably coupled to the second portion and a plurality of hydraulic pumps and associated flow rectifiers, rotary-vane pumps and electrical generators can be coupled between the second and third portions.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
21.
ARTICULATED-RAFT/ROTARY-VANE PUMP GENERATOR SYSTEM
An apparatus/method for generating electricity from ocean energy using a floating device having first and second portions movably coupled. A hydraulic pump is coupled between these portions such that when exposing the floating device to ocean energy, hydraulic fluid is displaced. A flow rectifier creates a unidirectional hydraulic fluid flow that is dispensed through a rotary-vane pump which, in turn, is coupled to an electrical generator. As the rotary-vane pump is activated by the unidirectional flow, the rotary-vane pump turns the generator, generating electricity. Plural hydraulic pumps and associated flow rectifiers, rotary-vane pumps and electrical generators can be coupled between the first and second portions. In addition, the floating device can include a third portion that is movably coupled to the second portion and plural hydraulic pumps, associated flow rectifiers, rotary-vane pumps and electrical generators can be coupled between the second and third portions.
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
22.
Modular sand filtration-anchor system and wave energy water desalinization system incorporating the same
A filter-anchor for placement on a sea floor is provided. It includes a filter housing for filtering sea water prior to entry into a water desalinization system. The filter housing has an exterior, an interior chamber, at least one inlet for providing the sea water to the interior chamber, and at least one outlet for enabling filtered water to be pumped from the interior chamber. A sand filter is disposed in the filter housing. The filter housing has at least one water conduction outlet conduit for filtered water to be pumped to the desalinization system. A wave energy conversion system utilizing the filter anchor is also provided to effect the pumping of the filtered water to the desalinization system. A method of anchoring a wave energy conversion system and providing filtered water to a desalinization system is also provided.
B01D 24/04 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
C02F 1/44 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
A filter-anchor is provided, including a filter housing for filtering sea water prior to entry into a water desalination system for placement on a sea floor, the filter housing having an exterior, an interior chamber, at least one inlet for providing the sea water to the interior chamber, and at least one outlet for providing filtered water to exit the interior chamber. A sand filter disposed is in the filter-housing, separating the exterior from the interior chamber, the filter housing having at least one water conduction outlet conduit for filtered water to exit the interior chamber to provide filtered water. A wave energy conversion system utilizing the filter anchor is also provided. A method of anchoring a wave energy conversion system and providing filtered water to a desalination system is also provided.
B01D 24/04 - Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
B01D 24/14 - Downward filtration, the container having distribution or collection headers or pervious conduits
F03B 13/20 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein both members are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
24.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF AERODYNAMIC AND HYDRODYNAMIC SURFACES
A system and method for improving the lift-drag ratio of an aerodynamic surface or hydrodynamic surface such as a wing or blade-structure of a propeller, rotor or a turbine, in a fluid such as air or water, is disclosed. The aerodynamic surface or hydrodynamic surface includes a trailing edge. The system and method introduces acoustic waves, such as audible sound, into the flow about the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic surface to cause the Tollmien-Schlichting waves adjacent these surfaces to become unstable. This action causes the point of flow separation on the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic surfaces to move toward the trailing edge of the surface, thereby reducing the drag force on the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic surface and increasing the lift-to-drag ratio on the these surfaces.
A buoy for use in reducing the amplitude of waves in water and a system making use of plural buoys to create a floating breakwater. Each buoy is arranged to be constrained, e.g., connected to an anchor, and comprising a body e.g., a cylindrical member having at least one outwardly projecting fin, that is configured to be resonant and impedance matched. The buoy and anchoring approach allows for self-tuning to the changes in the wave spectrum due to the tidal or storm surge induced changes in the water depth. The body of the floating buoy is not limited to circular cylinder, and could be square, hexagonal, triangular, etc. but must have at least one exterior mounted fin.
A buoy for use in reducing the amplitude of waves in water and a system making use of plural buoys to create a floating breakwater. Each buoy is arranged to be constrained, e.g., connected to an anchor, and comprising a body e.g., a cylindrical member having at least one outwardly projecting fin, that is configured to be resonant and impedance matched. The buoy and anchoring approach allows for self-tuning to the chances in the wave spectrum due to the tidal or storm surge induced changes in the water depth. The body of the floating buoy is not limited to circular cylinder, and could be square, hexagonal, triangular, etc but must have at least one exterior mounted fin.
patents
